SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) front-line health care workers voted Friday to authorize a five-day strike to protest Sharp Healthcare. .
According to a press release sent by the union, the strike will involve 92% of the approximately 5,000 health care workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Sharp Hospice Care, Chula Vista Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, Mesa Vista Hospital and Mary Bath Women's Hospital. Approved with a yes vote. And a newborn.
Negotiations between the union and Sharp Healthcare will begin in late 2023, and after more than 33 negotiation sessions, no initial contract agreement has yet been reached.
According to the statement, health care workers said Sharp executives were not aware of problems at the facility, including understaffing and low wages.
SEIU-UHW said, “Staffing shortages and low pay are putting patients and workers at risk as staff struggle to meet patient needs, and many of the front-line caregivers at Sharp facilities are… “Lack of affordable housing means they are forced to commute hours to work.” release.
Strike voting applies to the following job classes:
Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Vocational Nurse, Respiratory Care Worker, Pharmacy Technician, Patient Transporter, Radiology Technologist, Surgical Technologist, Laboratory Technician, Nursing Unit Clerk
The union says Friday's vote applies to many other health care workers.
ABC 10News has reached out to Sharp Healthcare for a statement and is awaiting a response.
